MLB stars do their part on Election Day
Tuesday was Election Day, and players across MLB were among the millions of Americans who exercised their right to vote. Many were vocal in encouraging others to do the same.
Here’s a roundup of some of the notable players who took part.
• Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts posted a passionate message on Instagram explaining exactly why he voted.
“I VOTE FOR: My Family, My Daughter, Social Injustice, Healthcare, Education, Humanity, My Community and most importantly because it is MY RIGHT!” Betts wrote.
• Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, wearing his usual megawatt smile and an “I Voted” sticker, shared a bilingual message encouraging others to exercise their right.
• Mariners rookie outfielder Kyle Lewis sent out an Instagram video Monday confirming he voted in Georgia and urging those who hadn’t gone to the polls to do so Tuesday.
“Please go and cast your vote,” Lewis said. “It’s a moment in time, it’s a moment in history and we need you. I’ve done my part, please do yours.”
• Lewis' teammate and fellow outfielder Dylan Moore did the same.
• Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson was on site at the Liberty Square Community Center polling location in Liberty City, Fla., to hand out meals to voters, part of the Miami Marlins Foundation's Election Day Voting Initiative with Feed The Polls, which distributed 2,000 meals at select polling locations Tuesday.
• The Marlins were also among the teams that did their part to get out the vote Tuesday morning.
• Pitcher Marcus Stroman was one of the more vocal players on social media, persuading people to vote in the days leading up to the election.
• The Players Alliance, a group of more than 100 Black current and former baseball players united with the aim of creating increased opportunities for the Black community, encouraged others on Instagram to hit up the #VotingSquad to make sure they have a plan to vote.
Part of the Player Alliance's #VotingSquad group chat? None other than Betts, Tim Anderson, Dee Strange-Gordon, Jason Heyward, CC Sabathia and Edwin Jackson.
• In an effort to spread awareness about potential disenfranchisement around the nation, pitcher Chris Archer wrote an article detailing the difficulties he experienced trying to get a mail-in ballot in Florida and explained how the Players Coalition, a non-profit organization that works with professional athletes, coaches and owners across leagues to improve social justice and racial equality, helped him to eventually cast his vote.